Sophie Adelman

Sophie Adelman Sophie has a account Cofounder & Board Member, WhiteHat. Angel Investor. Startup Advisor. London, Greater London, United Kingdom 500+ connections Contact info WhiteHat GB Stanford University Graduate School of Business Highlights Reach out to Sophie for... Mentoring, Getting coffee, Joining a nonprofit board. Message Sophie About Specialties: Leadership, Project Management, Talent Management, People Development, Startup Operations, Business Development, venture capital and growth capital investing Featured With WhiteHat in a strong position with a world-class leadership team at the helm, I have taken the decision to step back from an operating role as President at WhiteHat, and transition to a new role as Board Member & Advisor. As a Cofounder, I remain deeply committed to WhiteHat's longterm success and just as passionate about our mission to create a diverse group of future leaders. You can read more about this incredible journey and my future plans here. #startups #cofounders #leadership #transitions #scaleups No alt text provided for this image Transitioning my role at WhiteHat Sophie Adelman on LinkedIn • 3 min read LIKE PRAISE EMPATHY 466 57 Comments No alt text provided for this image Transitioning my role at WhiteHat Sophie Adelman on LinkedIn After a lot of soul searching, I have decided to step back from an operating role as President at WhiteHat, and transition to a new role as a Board Member & Advisor. This was an incredibly tough decision. I remain deeply passionate about WhiteHat and our mission. I am so proud of everything we have achieved to date and the many supporters and brilliant team members (now 160-strong) we have brought on the journey. We have raised $20M from some incredible investors (Lightspeed, Index, Village Global, Salesforce Ventures & strategic angels) and been named in the Startup 100 List. Most importantly, though, we have helped over 2,000 people start apprenticeships at companies ranging from Facebook to BP to Warner Music, literally changing lives in the process. We have built a thriving community of apprentices who are proud to represent WhiteHat and advocate for apprenticeships. We’re changing the conversation about the value of apprenticeships across the board, from media to government to dinner tables across the country where parents are starting to question the value of university. Almost 100,000 candidates have connected with WhiteHat with the desire to start an apprenticeship. There can be no doubt that the perception of apprenticeships has shifted and the demand from Gen Z is there. But this is only the beginning. There is so much more to do. For the last year, I’ve focused on making sure we have the right executive leadership in place to take us to the next level. In the process, I’ve realised that I love building and leading during the startup phase and so while I’m deeply committed to WhiteHat’s long term success, that’s what I want to get back to. It takes a village I have learnt so much from this entrepreneurial journey, running almost every team in the business and wearing many hats. I have learnt that inspirational leadership comes from leading with authenticity, vulnerability and compassion. I am very grateful for this experience and particularly to Euan for sharing this journey with me. Euan is one of the most passionate and driven people I have ever met and I know that under his leadership as CEO, WhiteHat will continue to change the system, enabling diverse talent to become Future Leaders. I’m behind him every step of the way. The team we have built at WhiteHat is world-class and values-driven. The care and aspiration they all have for our candidates, apprentices and clients is unrivalled, with many of our coaches going above and beyond to support their cohorts on a daily basis. The current coronavirus crisis has only deepened the strength of the feeling I have for my team with many of them juggling caring duties, social isolation and their mental health, all while continuing to exceed goals, and build a company that touches individual lives and helps employers build stronger organisations. They are my heroes. I also want to thank our investors for being so supportive of female leadership. I feel fortunate to have been able to be both a mother and an entrepreneur over the past 3.5 years - two key parts of my identity - even though at times the trade-offs were tough. Looking forwards Over the past couple of months, I’ve been working with Euan and the leadership team to support this transition. Thanks to the whole team for their support, tributes and the most incredible send-off. I’ll be taking some time off over the summer with my young family and have started doing some angel investing and mentoring. After that, I will begin to explore opportunities and ideas for my next venture. I have loved building WhiteHat and it has given me a taste for how a company can be built that combines social impact with strong economic growth, both of which will continue to be important to me in whatever I do next. Watch this space! LIKE PRAISE EMPATHY 466 57 Comments No alt text provided for this image WhiteHat | Best Career-focused Apprenticeships in London WhiteHat | Best Career-focused Apprenticeships in London Building an outstanding alternative to university. Connecting companies to high potential non-grad apprenticeship talent Activity See all 4,076 followers a group of people posing for a picture What an incredible role! EF are hiring a Diversity Marketing Associate. Jamilah Simpson - any of our community spring to mind? Sophie shared this 11 Reactions 2 Comments No alternative text description for this image Congratulations on the engagement Nathan! Sophie commented View Aaron Crudge’s profile Congratulations Aaron! You have been a rockstar from the start, always taking on more and stepping up into bigger and bigger roles. We are all so proud of you. Sophie commented a group of people posing for the camera Congratulations Grace. What a tour of duty that was! You should be very proud of everything you’ve achieved and the lives you’ve touched along the way. I feel very lucky that we got to work together and that I count you as a friend. X Sophie commented Experience WhiteHat GB Cofounder & President Company NameWhiteHat GB Dates EmployedFeb 2017 – Jul 2020 Employment Duration3 yrs 6 mos LocationLondon, United Kingdom WhiteHat was founded to address the lack of high-quality, career-focused apprenticeships on offer for ambitious young people and provide employers with the means to attract the best non-graduate talent. Lepe Partners LLP Member of the Investment Advisory Committee Company NameLepe Partners LLP Dates EmployedApr 2014 – Jul 2018 Employment Duration4 yrs 4 mos LocationLondon, United Kingdom Advise and support the investment team at Lepe Capital on early stage and growth investment opportunities in the digital / media / technology space e.g. Wahanda & Chemist Direct Hired, Inc. Company NameHired, Inc. Total Duration2 yrs 4 mos TitleHead of Sales, EMEA Dates EmployedApr 2016 – Jan 2017 Employment Duration10 mos LocationLondon, United Kingdom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nw1EIgvUvBU TitleGeneral Manager, UK & France Dates EmployedSep 2015 – Apr 2016 Employment Duration8 mos Managing the UK market for Hired with focus on developing both the client and talent sides of the marketplace. Show 1 more role RIT Capital Partners Strategic Investments, Special Situations Company NameRIT Capital Partners Dates EmployedJul 2012 – Oct 2014 Employment Duration2 yrs 4 mos LocationLondon, United Kingdom Worked directly for Lord Jacob Rothschild within his private office on investment opportunities that were of interest to him across asset classes. Responsible for a portfolio of strategic investments and private equity investments, which includes the set up, negotiation and management of joint venture relationships and partnerships with Edmond de Rothschild, Rockefeller Financial, Corsair Capital, Renshaw Bay and Augmentum Capital. Project manager on a number of key strategic initiatives such as corporate M&A opportunities and internal restructuring. Initiated and led a project to install a CRM system at RIT. This was successfully installed and is used actively by all members of the investment team at RIT Assessed new investment opportunities across early stage and growth private direct investments, private equity funds and joint ventures. see less Memolane Business Strategy, Product Management Intern Company NameMemolane Dates EmployedMay 2011 – Sep 2011 Employment Duration5 mos Worked alongside CEO to develop product launch strategy and marketing strategy Atomico Ventures Summer Investment Manager Company NameAtomico Ventures Dates EmployedJun 2010 – Aug 2010 Employment Duration3 mos Managed dealflow and helped make decision on new investment opportunities Worked with existing portfolio company management teams to drive growth in their businesses Egon Zehnder International Associate Consultant Company NameEgon Zehnder International Dates EmployedJan 2009 – Jun 2010 Employment Duration1 yr 6 mos Senior Level / Executive Recruitment across the Investment Banking and Private Equity Industries. I was also involved in developing Intellectual Property around CEO Potential and assessment tools Goldman Sachs Analyst Company NameGoldman Sachs Dates EmployedJun 2007 – Nov 2008 Employment Duration1 yr 6 mos Debt Capital Markets, Investment Grade Coverage, IBD Cambridge University Undergraduate Representative, University Council of Cambridge Company NameCambridge University Dates Employed2003 – 2004 Employment Duration1 yr LocationCambridge, United Kingdom Elected by 8,000 students as one of two Undergraduate Representative on The University Council of Cambridge University (central decision making body) alongside the Vice Chancellor & College Heads Emmanuel College Cambridge Student Union President Company NameEmmanuel College Cambridge Student Union Dates Employed2003 – 2004 Employment Duration1 yr LocationCambridge, United Kingdom Elected by 450 students as President of JCR (2003) Worked with Master and college administration on all student affairs - academic and pastoral Represented College at University-wide student union (CUSU) Show fewer experiences Education Stanford University Graduate School of Business Stanford University Graduate School of Business Degree NameMBAField Of StudyMaster of Business Administration Dates attended or expected graduation2010 – 2012 Activities and Societies: Venture Capital Club Entrepreneurship Club ESP Program - Entrepreneurship Practical Training Investing, entrepreneurship, venture capital, executive development Chief Editor, MBA Yearbook Co-President of the Venture Capital Club Co-President of the Retail Club Co-Chair of the First Year Committee Harvard University Harvard University Degree NameGraduate FellowshipField Of StudyGraduate Herchel Smith Scholar Dates attended or expected graduation2005 – 2006 Activities and Societies: Veritones Kirkland House Resident Scholar University of Cambridge University of Cambridge Degree NameStarred 1st ClassField Of StudyGeography Dates attended or expected graduation2002 – 2005 Activities and Societies: President of the Emmanuel College Student Union (2003 - 2004) The Council of Cambridge University, Undergraduate Representative (elected) (2004 - 2005) Top 3% of Year Bachelor Scholar